By Suzan Nyazungu
We started the morning reflecting on the energy of the day with Inés, who explained that each Nahwal is associated with a different animal and today’s animal was the dog. The characteristics connected to the dog include loyalty, protection, guidance, and leadership. She also shared how today represents authority, recognizing leaders, and closing cycles by removing challenges and obstacles from our path.
After the reflection, we loaded onto a pickup truck and toured the Ik’tiuw forest with Gregorio. The focus was on learning how a natural forest functions and how we can imitate those systems sustainably. As we walked deeper into the forest, the air became cooler and calmer compared to the heat outside. Gregorio explained that the forest work began 50 years ago with his parents and showed us the many plants and species growing there, including avocado, macadamia, guava, lemon, passionfruit, and medicinal plants. He emphasized that sustainable living depends on three things: land, seeds, and knowledge.
Later, we visited the Aj Cumatz forest, where we reached a beautiful lookout over the mountains and lake. We ended the day back at IMAP (the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute) with a culinary workshop, where we made pizza, salad, and chocolate cookie bars before sharing a meal together and closing with an evening reflection.
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